RCMP Cigarette Seizures

The following details are seizures from October 29th to November 5th, 2009.  A total of 3,750 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes, 1 vehicle and arrested five people:

On October 29th, 2009, RCMP officers from the Cornwall Detachment observed two males on a boat offloading garbage bags to a male who was placing them in a 2004 Ford F-150 pick-up truck near the St. Lawrence River in Cornwall, Ontario.  RCMP officers approached the vehicle and observed the garbage bags contained cardboard boxes of contraband cigarettes.  Two males on the boat fled the scene.  The RCMP seized 10 garbage bags containing 500 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes as well as the vehicle.  A 60 year old male from Akwesasne, Ontario was arrested for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped and the investigation continues.

On November 1st, 2009, RCMP officers seized 1,500 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes located inside a boat house near Summerstown, Ontario.  No arrests were made and the investigation continues.

On November 2nd, 2009, RCMP officers seized 1,250 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes outside a residence located near the St. Lawrence River in Cornwall, Ontario.  Unidentified males fled on foot and no arrests were made.  The investigation continues.

On November 3rd, 2009, officers from the Canada Border Services Agency at the Cornwall Port of Entry inspected a Pontiac Grand Prix and located cardboard boxes of contraband cigarettes inside the trunk of the vehicle. RCMP officers attended and seized 250 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes.  The 23 year old male driver and 27 year old male passenger both from Akwesasne, Ontario were arrested for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped.  The investigation continues.

On November 3rd, 2009, officers from the Canada Border Services Agency located at the Cornwall Port of Entry inspected a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer and observed contraband cigarettes in the rear of the vehicle. RCMP officers attended and seized 150 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes.  The 29 year old male driver from Akwesasne, Ontario was arrested and faces a charge for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped and will be in court at a later date.

On November 4th, 2009, RCMP officers observed a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix parked close to the St. Lawrence River in a Cornwall, Ontario residential area.  When officers approached, the driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot.  Officers caught up to the suspect and he was arrested.  The officers returned to the vehicle and seized 350 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes.  The driver identified as Kristopher Lee Kirkey (age 23) from Cornwall, Ontario was arrested and charged for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped, obstructing a peace officer and breaching a probation order.  He was held for a Bail hearing at the Cornwall court.

“This week our officers witnessed boats travelling on the St. Lawrence River with no lights transporting cardboard boxes of contraband cigarettes”, said Sgt. Michael Harvey of the RCMP.  “Once the boats arrived on shore, officers witnessed several people assisting to unload the contraband tobacco to store on nearby properties.  These are very organized crime groups making a large amount of money doing illegal activities in our community”.